Owen Coyle: First time that a team has started with 10 Indian players

The Marina Machans will now play the two-legged semi-final against FC Goa.

NorthEast United FC took on Chennaiyin FC in the sides’ final game of the league stage of the Indian Super League 2019-2020. The Marina Machans, who have already confirmed their place in the playoffs, came back from behind, late in the game to earn a point through Lallianzuala Chhangte’s goal. The manager, Owen Coyle, voiced his views on the game in his post-match press conference. [KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS] He said, “I thought it took us 15 minutes to settle down. Then once we did settle down, we started to pass the ball on a difficult pitch, scored a wonderful goal to get in front and at 0-1, it felt very comfortable.” NEUFC were given a way back into the match when Tondonba Singh was set off for a foul that was deemed to be inside the box. Martin Chaves buried the resulting penalty for his first goal of the game. Owen Coyle reflected, “The big talking point in the game is the penalty decision. My initial thinking was that I thought that there was contact. But, I’m led to believe from the TV that, the initial contact was outside the box.” “I didn’t think that it was a red because he kind of fell over on purpose. That being said, the referee made his decision. The boy scored his penalty.” In the second half, Martin Chaves temporarily put the home side into the lead with a fantastic volley from just outside the box. Even Owen Coyle was impressed with the technique he displayed to squeeze the ball into the Chennaiyin net. “I’ve got to say, what a wonderful goal. Even as an opposition coach, the skill from the lad was outstanding.” Coyle also claimed that it was the first time that a team had started the game with 10 Indian players. The Scot waxed lyrical about the talent and the trust he had in the squad. “I’m led to believe that is the first time that a team has started the game with 10 Indian players in the lineup. It shows the belief and the trust that we have. It was always going to be a difficult match because we qualified for the playoffs. The one thing that we didn’t want is any injuries. A draw was probably fair. The important thing for us, it keeps our unbeaten run going.” “I really feel for young Tondonba tonight, I felt it was a bit unjust.” [KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News | Owen Coyle | ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS] Chennaiyin will now face FC Goa in a two-legged semi-final after their qualification for the playoffs. Owen Coyle had a few words for his semi-final rivals in his post-match press conference. “I think Goa have been in fantastic form. They finished in No. 1 position for a reason, but we have also been in fantastic form.” “That character, that belief, that trust they have in each other, we will need that against FC Goa.” “We are a far better team now then we were in my third game. We are looking forward to going toe-to-toe against very good opponents. We won’t change our style of play and I know Goa won’t change theirs,” concluded Owen Coyle. The first leg of the semi-final will take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on 29th February 2020.